Outer Loop
- 5.6 mi
- loop
- 158 ft
- climb
- 1,369 ft
- high point
- Loop
- route
- May–Oct
- best months
Outer Loop is a 5.6-mile loop in Washburn County Forest in northern Wisconsin, on county land. The route rises from about 1,277 feet to about 1,369 feet, with a total elevation gain of 158 feet. It is an easy cross-country ski route, and the climb is gentle overall, though the steepest stretch comes at about 3.4 miles, where the grade reaches 14%. Winter is the natural season for this trail. Typical averages from a nearby weather station show January highs around 22°F with lows near 2°F, and February is similar at about 27°F and 4°F. By March, highs climb to about 39°F, and by May they reach about 67°F, so the trail works well for skiers from late fall through early spring. Cut Across, another cross-country ski route, lies about 1.2 miles away and makes an easy addition to a longer outing.
Best time to go · May–Oct
Best time to visit Outer Loop
Best months: May–October. Best months have typical highs of 55–85 °F, lows of 30 °F or warmer (32 °F where the station doesn't record snow), at most one snowy day and no more than 12 wet days.
Jan
22° / 2°
9 wet
Feb
27° / 4°
8 wet
Mar
39° / 17°
9 wet
Apr
53° / 29°
11 wet
May
67° / 40°
12 wet
Jun
75° / 51°
12 wet
Jul
79° / 55°
11 wet
Aug
77° / 53°
10 wet
Sep
69° / 45°
10 wet
Oct
55° / 34°
10 wet
Nov
39° / 22°
9 wet
Dec
27° / 10°
9 wet
Typical high / low (°F) and days with rain or snow, 1991–2020. Measured at Couderay 7 W, WI, 7.9 mi away at 1,300 ft. This station doesn't record snowfall. Source: NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020.
Keep exploring — more snow worth the drive
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Cut Across
~2 min drive
0.88-mile out-and-back route in Wisconsin with 160 ft of elevation gain.
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Middle School Loop
~23 min drive
0.44-mile loop with 72 ft elevation gain in Wisconsin.
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High School Loop
~23 min drive
0.85-mile out-and-back route in Wisconsin with 159 ft of elevation gain.
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Cut Across
~2 min drive
0.31-mile out-and-back ski trail in Wisconsin with 44 ft of elevation gain.
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The Pit
~23 min drive
0.27-mile out-and-back route in Wisconsin with 50 ft of elevation gain.
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Rollercoaster
~37 min drive
0.22-mile out-and-back ski trail in Wisconsin.
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Roller Loop
~23 min drive
1.43-mile loop in Wisconsin with 245 ft of elevation gain.
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Birkebeiner Trail
~29 min drive
1.58-mile out-and-back route in Wisconsin with 158 ft of elevation gain.
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Washout
~37 min drive
0.34-mile out-and-back ski trail in Wisconsin with 29 feet of elevation gain.
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Field Loop
~23 min drive
0.31-mile loop in Wisconsin with 31 ft of elevation gain.
Map and trail data © OpenStreetMap contributors
